Electrical switch



May 5, 1959 L. BENTZMAN 2,335,499

* ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 10 5 I 92INVENTOR LOUIS BENTZMAN ATTORNEYS May 5, 1959 L. BENTZMAN' ELECTRICALSWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1956 INVENTOR. LOUIS BEN TZMANBY 6 M165 5 AT ORNE y 1959 L. BENTZMAN 2,885,499

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 12, 1956 :5 Sheets-Sheet s 256 zo zo"1.17%

INVENTOR.

LOUIS BEN TZMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent ELECTRICAL SWITCH LouisBentzman, Oak Hill, Del., assignor to Saxony Electronics, Inc.,Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application September 12,1956, Serial No. 609,394

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-) This invention relates to a switch for controllingthe interconnection of electrical circuits, and more particularly to aswitch as aforementioned which connects these circuits in variouscombinations.

Electrical systems frequently include a number of subsidiary circuitswhich in operation are optionally connected to a source of power and toeach other in various combinations. Various electrical appliances, forexample electric blankets, include a number of heating elements whichare optionally connected in various combinations to provide variousrates of heating. A switch for controlling an appliance of this typeshould have a simple, economical structure which is adaptable forcontrolling many circuit variations, yet is simple to operate.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch having a structurewhich is simple and economical to manufacture, which can control theinterconnection of a large number of circuits in many combinations, andwhich is simple to operate.

In accordance with this invention, a number of conductors having tonguesprojecting at predetermined intervals are assembled with the tonguesspaced from each other and aligned in selected groups. A closure meansis operatively associated with each aligned group of tongues forselectively moving them into electrical contact. Each conductor isconnected to a particular electrical circuit. Movement of each of theclosure means interconnects the circuits having tongues in theparticular aligned group brought into electrical contact by itsmovement.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view of electrical components of anembodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view in elevation showing alternate operatingpositions of the assembled electrical components shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view in elevation of the outside of an assembledembodiment of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines3-3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines6--6;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines77;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the upper half of the casing of the embodimentshown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the lower half of the casing of the embodimentshown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lower casing half and various elements ofthe embodiments shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken through Fig. 4along the line 11-11;

2,885,499 Patented May 5, 1959 Fig. 12 is a simplified schematic diagramof electrical components and a closure element of the embodiment shownin Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a closure element of the embodiment shown inFig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 13 along the line1414;

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the closure element shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a view in elevation of the closure element shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of an actuating element of the embodiment shownin Fig. 10; and

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 17 along the line18-18.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a number of conductors 10, 12, 14 and 16,four for example, in the relative positions they assume in theembodiment of this invention described herein. Strips of insulation 18,Micarta for example, are interposed between the conductors to isolatethem from each other when they are assembled.

Conductor 10 may be termed a common conductor and it includes a numberof tongues 20 -20 for example, projecting consecutively at regularintervals along its length. Conductor 12 includes a pair of tongues 22and 22 for example, projecting at intervals corresponding to thepositions of tongues on conductor 10 having identical subscripts.Conductor 14 has two tongues 24.; and 24 for example, projecting atintervals corresponding to tongues on conductor 10 having identicalsubscripts; and conductor 16 has three tongues 26 26 and 26 for example,projecting at intervals corresponding to the tongues on conductor 10having identical subscripts.

Conductor 10 is elongated to the right, for example, to form anextension or terminal 30 for connecting conductor 10 to a circuit.Conductors 12, 14 and 16 are elongated in the opposite direction, forexample, to provide respective extensions or terminals 32, 34 and 36.When these conductors and interspersed insulating strips 18 areassembled, the various tongues are spaced from each other and aligned ingroups corresponding to their subscripts.

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view in elevation of the components shown inFig. 1 assembled in operative positions. Tongues 20 to 20 arerepresented by a single tongue designated by reference character 20 andis shown in two phases of operation. The other tongues are alsorepresented in the same manner but in only one position. The opencircuit position of tongue 20 is shown in full outline, and the closedcircuit position is shown in broken outline. indentations 40 areindicated on each of the tongues which provide extended areas of contactwhen they are brought into electrical contact with each other. A closuremeans 42 is indicated in phantom outline in the position it occupieswhen it is moved in the direction of the arrows to depress a group oftongues 20 of conductor 10 into electrical contact with the tongues ofthe other conductors which lie under the depressed group of tongues 20.The remote ends 43 of tongues 20 are bent to form a projection whichengages an indentation 45 in the lower surface of closure element 42 tolock the tongues 20 in the make position. In Fig. 2 the tongues 22, 24and 26 of lower conductors 12, 14 and 16 respectively are bent upward toa level immediately below the level of the undepressed tongue 20.Movement of tongues 20 connects them directly to each of the lowertongues. Other arrangements, however, may be provided where closuremovement of a tongue interconnects a group of spaced tongues to eachother. The arrangement herein shown, however, has the advantage ofrequin'ng minimummovement of the tongue to make contact.

Referring to Figs. 31l, details of an embodiment of is-.i yen ionenqlo ena a ng-des i d i and {i are illustrated. Casing Stigshown inFigs, 3 and4,

may be described as a flattened oblate spheroid having,

push butt ns SZ S S, 56, .58 and 60 projecting .froma longitudinalcutout. casing fit convenientlyinto al hu man hand. with the pushbuttons in" an extremely convenient position to: be. actuated by thefingers of the hand which holds the casing. The novel appearanceof-thisparticular casing. is disclosed and claimed incopending desi napplication S.N: '42;009,'filed June 25,1956. The basic mechanism.disclosed and claimed herein is adaptable to many other convenient anddecorative forms.; The illustrated. case,

The flat sides and back side of-the for example, pnovides theadvantage-,-in that-itmay be conveniently grasped and actuated -'in-accordance with the relative positions of the fingers with "respec;t-tothe Figs.--8 and 9 are respectively'the upper-and lower halves- 64and-920i casing 59; Theuterrns upper and lower are merelyused-for-convenience in designation because the switch may be operatedin any position.

Fig. 8 shows that the-interiorof upper casing fi-iis hollow-and-includesvarious functional projections. A pair of longitudinal strips 66 and 68-providea surface for confining movementof a closure and 1cooperatingactuating means" Pins 70jproject upwardly from strip 68jand providecentering and retainingmeans in cooperation with a slot 71 in theclosure means (later described). Connecting-ribs :72 between strips 66and 58 merely provide structural support. 1

A pair. of posts 74' and 76-project from-the interiora of. casing-r64Holes-78g and .80 respectivelyiin posts: 74 and .76provideianchoringmeans for screws which pass througha pair of.corresponding posts in the lower half 92 to hold the two halvesassembled.

Apertures 82 and 84 are provided at the ends of casing half .64. forpassing wires into the interior. Ribs 86 and 88 project-adjacent the.apertures 82 and 84. to,

cooperate withv spaced-.ribsrin the: other. casinghal-f to provide alabyrinth anchor. for the wire. Apertures 90. are notched in thecutout-side.oficasing half 64 for passageof pushbuttons 5 .760 throughthe. assembled.v

s ng- 1- In Fig. ;9, lower easing; half 92; has :an interior some,-

whatresembling thatofc singhalf It includes a pair-r lona udin ls ns.196 and; .8.. .c rresp ndin P h e -a or mentioaed s ips. eeand; 68. Srip 9mm 98, accordingly, cooperate withstrips-.56; and; 68-110 confine aclosure and cooperating actuating means-which recipro ate--.betweenthem.- Portions of casing half 92 corresponding to upperhalf fi iparewire passing-apertures. 16d) and 102, lab yrinth wire anchoring ribs 1Mand 106, joining posts .108 andilll), including counter.

sunk holes 112.andlM respecti /ely for cap screws which screw into holes78 andfiitofposts m and 76,.and

notches 118' for passageof the pushbuttons are provided in the cutoutside of casing half 92.

The remaining internal portion of lower half .92 providesalocatingand-retaining means for the conductors and insulatedstrips shownin exploded position in Fig. 1. groove l20between strip 96 andthe-aligned edges of a This retaining means includes a longitudinalseries. of =proiectingribs,-122 'to'il2213; Ribs 122 to- 1221-6: areregularly -spaeed, for example, to provide-regw '4..-; lar intervals orspaces 124 to 124 These spacescorrespond to the subscripts of tongues20, 22, 24 and '26 of conductors 10, 12, 14 and,..16 respectively. Theelongated portions of conductors 1t), 12, 14 and 16 lie in spaces withtongues projecting through respective spaces between ribs 122.

Fig. 10 shows lower casing narwa with closure means 132, 134, 136,133aand-n-140 installed-inrrespeotive slots or channels between eachthird rib 122 which are accordingly. raised above the intermediate:ribs..:. These raised ribs also isolate the vario'us contacts from eachother and may be utilized to prevent arcing over. Pins 7% are shownprojecting; through -.-slots. 71 ofrthenclosure elements. Angularactuating elements 142 are restrained in longitudinal grou /e97betweenstrips 6 and 98. These actuators have angular surfacescorresponding to the angular front ends of closure elements 132-14tl andprovide. only enough, space.therebetween.for/simultaneous depression .ofa single pushbutton... Closure element 136 isshowninth'edepressedcondition betweena pm'r'of actuating elements142"whiclrlwedge..all.1otherclosure elements ..to ..th.e.. undepressed..position. Whnanother pushbutton is depressed, 'anygpreviouslydepressed closure elementreturnspto the opencircuit. position One pushbuttonand corresponding. closureelement provide an open circuitpositionbecause of the absence .of tongues on contacts 12,141 and 16lying beneath it.

Fig. llfisfla longitudinal cross-secti'onal-view in elevation showingcasingghalves 64 and 92 assembled by means oi screws .1441 The relativepositions of the conductors; 10,12,1 3 and 16; and interspersedinsulating strips 18, are. clearly shown as well 'as.th'e positions ofclosure .elements .132'"l4-0 guided .between the raised ribs 122 3122;12231, 122m,l llig andl1221 Closure elements 132L140 are also guided bypinsflli'projecting from upper casing half 64 through slots 71;

Fig. .12 isan enlarged simplified schematic diagram in frontelevation ofconductors 10, 12, 14 and 16 and interspersed, insulating strips 18,,showing.;the relative positions of'th'e'various tongues'and how'theyare aligned. in groups withinchannels defined by. every third raisedribylZZ. The tongues'are shown in a straightforrn not correspondingtothe actualconfiguration tomore' clearly illustrate theirrelativepositions and howmovement of a single closure elementdepressesall tongues-20 of con-' duetor- 10 which lie under it to movethemintoelectrical contact with all of the" corresponding tongues of otherconductors. As' shown in-=Fi"g. l2, closure element; 136

has beenactuatedtc move tongues 207, Zligand 20 downward so thattongues'20 and'20 move into contact with=tongues 22", and24;,of'conduct0rs Hand 14 respec-' tively. Conductors 10, -12 andl i'are'accordingly inter= connected. Movement" of*="a closure" element mayinterconnect more tha'n one-tongue-of two conductors when-ahigher'current carryin'grcapacityfis desired, as

is provided byclosure element-134 which interconnects tongues Zfi and 29with tongues 24mand-2 in.

Figs:- 13 -16 show details-eta closure-element which is closureelementw136;-"forexample." Element'136 roughly includes threefunctionalportions? These portrons are pushbutton element 56, angularshifting portion 148 fonengagingactuating elements 142, andtongueoperating step 150. The upper portion 'ofthe element is hollowedat1152 to conserve material' and lighten the element. Slot 71 is providedas previously described for cooperatinguwith pins 705 Ste'p 150" ispositioned below lower flat surface 154 which cooperateswith fiattopvsurfacerlSfi toridej-between the" confining surfaces provided bystrips 66 and 68 of the-upper casing half, and-96 and98 of-the lowercasing halft The lower step 150, as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and -7,optionally engagesa tongue Eli-of conductor 10 to makeand breakelectrical contact'with corresponding;tongues of strips 12-16. Step-150includes'anindentation 45*forengaginga corresponding projection 43- aretongue-ltl 'to maintain tongue 20 and a pushbutton locked in the makeposition. Fig. 6 shows a closure element 136 for example, in the breakposition with tongue 20 raised out of contact with correspondingtongues. Fi 7 shows element 136 depressed into the make position withtongue 20 depressed into electrical contact with corresponding tonguesof conductors The make and break positions correspond to the alternatepositions shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 17 and 18 show details of an actuating or shifting element 142which includes an angular portion 160 for engaging corresponding angularportions of the closure elements. Element 142 also includes a lug 162projecting from its lower surface for restraining motion of actuatingelement 142 in the groove 97 between strips 96 and 98. Upper surface 164and lower surface 166 of element 142 ride between strips 66 and 68 ofcasing half 64 and strips 96 and 93 of easing half 9?. respectively whenthese halves are assembled as indicated in Fig. 11. When the switch isassembled, surfaces 164 and 166 of actuating element 142 aresubstantially parallel to surfaces 154 and 156 of closure elements132-140.

Operation Depression of any one of pushbuttons 52-60 moves correspondingactuating elements 132-146 and depresses tongues 20 of conductor 10which lie beneath the operated closure element. When closure element 136is depressed, for example as shown in Fig. 12, tongues 2t1 20 arebrought into electrical contact with tongues 22 and 24 Thisinterconnects the electrical circuits connected to conductors 10, 12 and14. Conductor 10 is, accordingly, connected with any combination ofthree other conductors in accordance with the presence or absence oftongues under a particular closure element. A complete absence oftongues on conductors 12, 14 and 16 under a particular closure elementprovides an oil or open circuit condition. The number of possiblecombinations may be increased further by providing a larger closureelement which contacts a greater number of tongues. Addition ofconductors may be provided for interconnecting additional electricalcircuits.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical switch comprising an elongated casing whose outersurface is constructed and arranged in a shape which can be convenientlygrasped by a human hand, an array of conductors disposed in parallelplanes within said casing and having tongues projecting at predeterminedintervals, retaining means mounting said condoctors within said casingin fixed relationship to each other with said tongues of said conductorsspaced from each other and aligned in predetermined groups, pushbuttonclosure means operatively associated with said tongues and passingthrough said casing for selectively moving said tongues within each ofsaid groups into electrical contact with each other, said casingincluding divider means providing a row of slots, said conductors 'eingelongated and having said tongues disposed at longitudinal positionscorresponding to predetermined slots, said tongues being inserted withincorresponding slots, predetermined divider means being extended toprovide boundaries for predetermined groups of said slots, reciprocatingclosure elements being inserted between said extended divider means forselectively moving the tongues within said predetermined groups intoelectrical contact with each other, said pushbutton closure means beingdisposed in a row along said casing, insulating strips beinginterspersed between said conductors, said retaining means maintainingsaid conductors and said interspersed strips in intimate contact withsaid casing and with each other, said closure elements includingprojections for depressing predetermined tongues of one of saidconductors into electrical contact with corresponding tongues of theothers of said conductors, said closure elements including indentationsfor engaging said predetermined tongues of one of said conductors, andsaid indentations and tongues being cooperatively formed to maintainsaid closure elements and said tongues locked in the make position.

2. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said casing iscut out to provide slotted guide means, shift elements are inserted toslide within said slotted guide means and in contact with said closureelements, the contacting surfaces or said shift elements and saidclosure elements being cooperatively angularly shaped to react with eachother ror allowing only one of said closure elements to be operated atone time, and one of said closure elements being available to provide anopen circuit.

References (Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES TENTS1,199,843 Washburn Oct. 3, 1916 1,867,870 Baker et al. July 19, 19322,192,612 Radtke Mar. 5, 1940 2,439,500 Wood Apr. 13, 1948 2,531,457McLarn Nov. 28, 1950 2,773,139 Forstrom et al. Dec. 4, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS 941,301 Germany Apr. 5, 1956 596,069 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1947

